Vaccination bill stalls on second round

A bill that would have required Nebraska middle schoolers to be vaccinated for meningococcal disease failed to advance Jan. 20 after four hours of debate.

LB18, introduced by Omaha Sen. Bob Krist last session, would have added the meningococcal vaccines recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the required immunizations for students enrolled in Nebraska schools. Two doses would have been required under the proposed bill—one when a student enters seventh grade and another after turning 16.

Krist said current legislation allows a student to opt out of receiving a vaccination if it conflicts with his or her religious beliefs or if the student provides a signed affidavit from a doctor. He said he understands the motivation of senators who oppose the bill for philosophical reasons but added that the majority of public health officials in the state support the bill.

“This is science versus opinion and philosophy,” he said.

Sen. Laura Ebke of Crete opposed the bill. She said public health officials should educate and advise people about available vaccinations, but the state should not mandate them unless they inoculate against highly infectious diseases that pose a threat to a large number of people.

“Even family physicians don’t agree on whether or not this is an appropriate thing for the state to mandate,” she said. “The low number of cases causes me to question the need for government force or government mandate.”

Krist filed a motion to invoke cloture, or cease debate and immediately vote on the bill. The motion failed 29-14. Thirty-three votes were needed. The bill is unlikely to be debated again this session.

The Legislature adjourned for the day before moving to the next scheduled bill.